"Why are you arresting me?! Stop it!"
Nastina struggled as Officer Jenny and her squad clamped the cuffs on her.
"Think long and hard about what you've done," Jenny replied sternly. "You have the right to remain silent!"
"I just wanted to build a super-luxury underwater honeymoon suite! It would have been magnificent!"
Watching her being hauled away was incredibly satisfying for everyone involved. The incident had been a catastrophe waiting to happen, and thanks to the Continental Hotel's warning, the police had been able to mitigate the damage. Now, it was time for the instigator to pay the price.
On the other side of the beach, Ash was having a bit of a struggle himself—not with an enemy, but with his own over-affectionate Pokémon. Milotic had coiled herself around him so tightly he could barely breathe, while Gyarados was constantly nuzzling his head with the force of a wrecking ball. Machamp and Nidoking were standing by, waiting for their turn to give him a hug of death.
"Alright, alright, everyone! I know you missed me," Ash wheezed, patting Milotic's scales. "But I have things to do. Milotic, could you... maybe loosen the grip? Just a bit?"
"Milo~!" She looked reluctant but eventually uncoiled.
Ash smiled and rubbed her head. "Good girl. I have a special mission for you. If you do a good job, I'll take you with me on the next leg of my journey, deal?"
"Milo!"
With the immediate threat gone, Onix and Rhydon finally stood down. Ash patted the massive stone head of the lead Onix. "Thanks for the backup, partner."
Misty and Brock watched the scene with wide eyes. Brock, looking at the sheer volume of high-level Pokémon, couldn't help but ask, "Are these all Ash's Pokémon? They're... incredibly well-conditioned."
"He's been raising them since he was a kid," Gary explained, looking at a Golem he used to play with. "Once Ash started making money, he didn't buy sports cars or jewelry. He invested every cent into top-tier nutrition and habitats for these guys. He basically keeps a private army on the Pallet Town mountains specifically to protect Aunt Delia."
"Is that so? Ash really is something else," Brock murmured.
Watching a literal fleet of Continental Hotel trucks arrive to deliver tons of premium Pokémon food, Brock added, "I guess only a guy with Ash's wealth could actually afford the grocery bill for this many pokémon."
Nearby Tentacruel was being held down by Dragonite. Ash walked up and stood right on the bridge of the jellyfish's nose.
"Alright, big guy. You had enough?"
"Wuuu..." (Meowth translated: "I yield! I yield!")
"Good," Ash said, narrowing his eyes. "Listen closely. As long as you play by the rules, we're cool. But if you ever threaten my family again, I'll show you exactly how sour my custom-made moves can get. Understand?"
"Wuuu!" (Meowth: "He says he's your most loyal servant now, Boss! He's terrified of the Pikachu on your shoulder!")
With the crisis resolved, it was time for the group to split. Cynthia and Giselle were set to take Ash's private ship to the airport.
"Cynthia," Ash said, handing over a Poké Ball. "Take my Milotic with you for a while. She knows a few custom moves that will be a huge help in training your own Milotic."
Cynthia didn't stand on ceremony. Their relationship was beyond petty polite gestures. She took the ball and leaned in, capturing Ash's lips in a lingering kiss.
When they broke apart, the Sinnoh Champion was slightly flushed. "Thank you, Ash. Take care of yourself out there." She didn't wait for a reply before heading toward the gangplank.
Giselle patted Ash's shoulder next. "I'm heading out too, Miser. Thanks for everything. And for the record... you were actually really cool back there." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek and followed Cynthia.
Finally, it was time for Delia, Daisy, and the Professor to head back to Pallet Town.
"I won't be a third wheel anymore," Professor Oak chuckled, waving as he boarded the Thousand Sunny. "Delia, Daisy, come on!"
Delia hugged Ash tightly. "Don't do anything that dangerous again, okay? You had me worried sick."
"I know... sorry, Mom."
"I'm proud of what you've built, but you are the most important thing to me," She whispered.
Then came Daisy. Ash felt a bit guilty; while they were engaged, his first time had officially gone to Elesa the night before. Daisy seemed to sense his internal conflict. She pulled him into a deep embrace and whispered into his ear, "What you said back there—about us being your most precious treasures—it was very manly. I'm glad I'm one of them."
"Who else would I treasure?" Ash replied, holding her close.
"I'll be waiting in Pallet Town, Ash. And be careful when you get to Saffron City. Don't let Sabrina turn you into a doll."
"I'll be fine. Sabrina's just... lonely. I can handle her."
Daisy gave him a final kiss and boarded the ship. As the two luxury liners began to pull away, Ash snapped his fingers. Immediately, a formation of Gyarados, Tentacool, and Wailord surrounded the ships as a majestic escort.
"Gyara! Look after them! I'll make you my Supreme Braised Fish when I get back!"
"ROAR!" (Translation: "Consider it done, Boss!")
Ash watched the ships disappear into the horizon, his hand instinctively reaching for the Thunder Badge in his pocket. He was one step closer to his goal, but the weight of the family he was building was starting to settle on his shoulders.
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